This series consists of black-and-white and color drawings and sketches relating to Robert Peary's polar explorations. Peary aspired to establish the insularity of Greenland, to ascertain whether a route to the North Pole was feasible from Greenland, and to test ideas for Arctic equipment. Thus, Peary meticulously planned for the Arctic weather and hardships by designing equipment that was convenient and practical.
Among the drawings are Peary's ideas for lighter but stronger sledges (sleds) for carrying loads over ice and snow (XP-XPAR-1-1). Also in this series, is his design for an alcohol stove and lamp burner combination unit. Handwritten notes indicate that Peary wanted this single appliance to consist of an alcohol stove, a lamp, copper coffee boiler, and copper soup kettle sufficient to feed four persons (XP-XPAR-2-1 through -3).
In a letter, found among the records, dated November 11, 1884, addressed to the Honchin Manufacturing Company in New York, New York, Peary asks the cost of an alcohol lamp constructed per sketches and inquires about how long a pint of alcohol will burn with a specific type and amount of wick (XP-XPAR-2-4). Peary used an alcohol lamp and stove because alcohol was lighter to transport on the vessel and sledges than kerosene.
Also included in this series is an oversized drawing for a boat hook. The hook was designed with the economy and convenience of having a socket at its end for installation of an ice chisel and/or ice point (pick) with the same dimensions (XP-XPAR-13-1). The ice chisel and ice point are shown as items XP-XPAR-13-2 and XP-XPAR-13-3.
Most of the drawings and sketches in this series, however, were created by Albert Operti. Operti's artwork includes general scenes on the transport vessel and around Greenland as well as images of Eskimos (401-XPAR-14-5, and -8 through -11). Peary befriended the Eskimos and learned their culture and habits in order to utilize their skills in the Arctic cold. The Eskimos helped Peary to construct snow houses, guide dog sledges, and wear fur clothing properly.
Albert Operti was born in Turin, Italy in 1852 and died in New York, New York in 1927. He was an illustrator, caricaturist, and a scenic artist for New York theaters. As a New York "Heald" special correspondent, he accompanied Peary on the 1896 and 1897 Arctic expeditions. Operti is credited with making wall paintings for the American Museum of Natural History in New York, New York.
Oversized works by Operti and Peary are housed separately in box 2. Also included in box 2 is a photomechanical reproduction of a drawing by D. Smith entitled "Esquimaux Hunters Capturing a Polar Bear" (401-XPAR-14-1). The illustration was published in Harper's Weekly.
